Evo-Stik Southern League West
Slimbridge 2, Taunton Town 2

PIERCE Mitchell rescued a point for Taunton Town away to Slimbridge on Wednesday night, after two goals from Marley Thomas looked to have consigned the visitors to defeat.

With second-placed Bristol Farm beaten on Tuesday, the Peacocks had the chance to move six points clear at the top of the Evo-Stik Southern League West standings, but had to settle for a four-point margin after being held.

Manager Leigh Robinson named a similar side to that which defeated Winchester City on Saturday, the only change seeing Les Afful come in for Omar Simpson in attack.

The visitors almost led after just two minutes, as Dan Sullivan had a go from 20 yards and rattled the crossbar, but Town were frustrated in a first half of few chances.

Slimbridge keeper Ollie Hall saved well from Sullivan and visiting counterpart Lloyd Irish denied Thomas, while Ollie Chamberlain blazed over from a good position as the teams went into the break level.

Despite changes from the Peacocks - Ben Palmer and Omar Simpson being introduced - it remained a scrappy game up until 70 minutes, when the hosts exploited Town's vulnerabilty to the counter-attack and Thomas fired home.

The visitors were only behind for seven minutes, as substitute Simpson used his pace to sear through the Slimbridge defence and find the bottom corner, but just three minutes after that they found themselves trailing again.

And again it was the quick counter that did for the away side, with Thomas profiting once more, to leave the Peacocks staring defeat in the face with only 10 minutes to save themselves.

That they did, with two minutes of normal time remaining, as Mitchell popped up to head in Ryan Brett's free-kick to secure a share of the spoils.

It was certainly an opportunity missed for Taunton, but in the circumstances - twice behind, away to an awkward opponent - it was certainly a point gained.

Robinson's men return to action this Saturday, at home to Merthyr Town in the FA Trophy (ko 3pm).

Taunton Town: Lloyd Irish, Pierce Mitchell, Ross Staley (Ben Palmer 53), Shane White, Brett Trowbridge (Owen Irish 76), Ben Adelsbury, Ollie Chamberlain, Ryan Brett, Matt Wright (c), Dan Sullivan, Les Afful (Omar Simpson 53). Subs not used: Chris McGrath, Michael Meaker.